Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Acculturation is a predominant feature of today’s society and one that has unique implications for immigrants’ mental health. Given that two thirds of Canada’s population growth is due to immigration, understanding the effects of acculturation on newcomers should be a central focus of academic research. The present study utilized an exploratory quantitative method to investigate the associations between acculturation strategies, quality of life, and negative affect in a sample of 180 Brazilian immigrants living in the Greater Toronto Area. The mediating and moderating roles of quality of life (QOL) were explored, as well as which patterns of acculturation strategies were associated with enhanced well-being, represented by low negative affect (NA), high QOL, and high Satisfaction with Life in Canada (SLCI). Clusters analysis identified patterns of acculturation strategy use, resulting in four acculturation profiles: integrated, assimilated, separated, and marginalized. Results indicated that QOL did not act as either a mediator or moderator of the relationship between acculturation profiles and NA. With regard to well-being indicators, acculturation profiles successfully predicted NA and SLCI, with the Assimilated being the most favourable profile evidenced by its lowest NA and highest SLCI levels. While acculturation profiles did not predict QOL, the trend of the Assimilated profile being predictive of favourable well-being was also present as its members reported slightly higher QOL than their counterparts from other profiles. Well-being risk and protective factors are presented. The results highlight the importance of including control variables in future research in order to uncover the unique impact of acculturation on the mental health of immigrants. Implications for practice and future research are also discussed.

Acculturation is a phenomenon which results when groups of individuals with different cultures come into continuous first-hand contact with each other, with subsequent changes in the original culture patterns of either or both groups. What an individual does when he or she comes into contact with a second culture is assumed to have an effect on his or her sense of emotional well-being. It has been hypothesized that how one copes with that contact will affect such socio-emotional factors such as self-esteem, social adjustment and academic performance and mental health. Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that the strategies an individual uses to cope with second culture contact will have an effect on that individual's academic or job performance, sense of social competence, and psychological well-being. From the available literature, various models are used in acculturation studies, namely the Unidimensional model, Bidimensional model and Interactive Acculturation Model. It is from the latter models that three groups of variables were addressed in this study: at the group level, acculturation context variables include characteristics of the society of settlement (work) and characteristics of the society of origin, at the individual level, acculturation conditions include characteristics or factors that act as moderators prior to acculturation and during acculturation and acculturation outcomes refers to the consequences of the frequent contact between people from different cultural backgrounds in terms of how well they function (do) and feel. The general objective of this research is to analyse the acculturation process and to determine the impact of acculturation context and individual variables on acculturation outcomes of members of the SAPS. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random sample (n = 153) was taken of members of the SAPS in the Pretora Arca. Instruments used in previous acculturation research were adapted to measure Mainstream Domain, Ethnocultural Domain, Individual variable and Socio Cultural Acculturation Outcomes. The results indicated that acculturation context and individual coping styles of members of the SAPS did impact on acculturation outcomes variables explaining 29% and 35% of the variance in physical and psychological (ill) health respectively and 26% and 33% of the variance in perceived (work success) effectiveness and efficiency at work and perceived status and recognition that you receive at work (for being successful) respectively. Although 14% and 13% of the variance in perceived commitment from the organisation to its employees and perceived commitment of the individual to its organisation, only one of the models used in the hierurchicul regressions were found to be statistically significant, with none of the predictors being statistically significant contributors. Limitation for the present study and recommendations for the organisation and future research are also provided. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This project analyses the acculturation process in a specific context, in order to predict the perceived work success and health (both psychological and physical) of mineworkers in a mine in the North-West Province.1 Success is evaluated in terms of meeting deadlines at work, reputation and respect at work, and training and development opportunities at work. Employees' success and health is considered from an acculturation perspective and thus viewed as a result of the acculturation process. This hypothesis was investigated by examining the affect of the acculturation context and individual intervening factors, which are translated into variables, on perceived work success and health (acculturation outcomes). A random convenience sample of participants from the mine under investigated was taken (n = 288 the majority of the participants are male, married, Black, and Afrikaans-speaking). English questionnaires using a cross-sectional survey design were administered to these participants. The questions were derived from adapted measuring scales and scales developed for the project, which follow a five-point Likert format ('strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'). Four categories of instruments were used: those examining the mainstream domain (multiculturalism, tolerance of other cultures by the mainstream, multicultural practices, relationships with host culture members at work), individual intervening factors (individual integration acculturation strategy and perceived self-efficacy), acculturation outcomes (health and work success), and the ethnocultural domain (ethnic integration demands, ethnic solidarity and social support, relationship with co-ethnics, and ethnic vitality at work). The data was captured in a spreadsheet, quality controlled, and statistically analysed using multivariate analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance, and T-tests in SAS, SPSS, and AMOS (regression using structural equation modelling). Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were examined. Effect sizes were used to determine the practical significance of the findings. Perceived self-efficacy is a statistically significant predictor of work success in terms of meeting deadlines. Multicultural practices, ethnic integration demands at work, relationship with co-ethnics individual integration acculturation strategy, and perceived self-efficacy statistically significant predictors of work success in terms of reputation and respect at work. Multicultural practices and ethnic solidarity and social support are statistically significant predictors of work success in terms of training and development opportunities at work. Relationships with host culture members at work, ethnic solidarity and social support, ethnic vitality at work, and individual integration acculturation strategy are statistically significant predictors of psychological health. Multiculturalism, multicultural practices, and tolerance of other cultures by the mainstream are statistically significant predictors of physical health. This project concludes that success and health can be considered from an acculturation perspective and these acculturation outcomes can be predicted based on the acculturation context and individual intervening factors. / Thesis (M.Com. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This project analyses the acculturation process in a specific context, in order to predict the perceived work success and health (both psychological and physical) of mineworkers in a mine in the North-West Province.1 Success is evaluated in terms of meeting deadlines at work, reputation and respect at work, and training and development opportunities at work. Employees' success and health is considered from an acculturation perspective and thus viewed as a result of the acculturation process. This hypothesis was investigated by examining the affect of the acculturation context and individual intervening factors, which are translated into variables, on perceived work success and health (acculturation outcomes). A random convenience sample of participants from the mine under investigated was taken (n = 288 the majority of the participants are male, married, Black, and Afrikaans-speaking). English questionnaires using a cross-sectional survey design were administered to these participants. The questions were derived from adapted measuring scales and scales developed for the project, which follow a five-point Likert format ('strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'). Four categories of instruments were used: those examining the mainstream domain (multiculturalism, tolerance of other cultures by the mainstream, multicultural practices, relationships with host culture members at work), individual intervening factors (individual integration acculturation strategy and perceived self-efficacy), acculturation outcomes (health and work success), and the ethnocultural domain (ethnic integration demands, ethnic solidarity and social support, relationship with co-ethnics, and ethnic vitality at work). The data was captured in a spreadsheet, quality controlled, and statistically analysed using multivariate analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance, and T-tests in SAS, SPSS, and AMOS (regression using structural equation modelling). Descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were examined. Effect sizes were used to determine the practical significance of the findings. Perceived self-efficacy is a statistically significant predictor of work success in terms of meeting deadlines. Multicultural practices, ethnic integration demands at work, relationship with co-ethnics individual integration acculturation strategy, and perceived self-efficacy statistically significant predictors of work success in terms of reputation and respect at work. Multicultural practices and ethnic solidarity and social support are statistically significant predictors of work success in terms of training and development opportunities at work. Relationships with host culture members at work, ethnic solidarity and social support, ethnic vitality at work, and individual integration acculturation strategy are statistically significant predictors of psychological health. Multiculturalism, multicultural practices, and tolerance of other cultures by the mainstream are statistically significant predictors of physical health. This project concludes that success and health can be considered from an acculturation perspective and these acculturation outcomes can be predicted based on the acculturation context and individual intervening factors. / Thesis (M.Com. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

This diploma thesis deals with the process of acculturation of immigrants in the Czech Republic. The aim is to analyze the process of acculturation and its particular phases in case of foreigners with different nationalities and identify a possible tendency in ways they are able to integrate into the new society, including factors, which can possibly affect this process. Outcomes of the thesis are concrete recommendations for immigration authorities in the Czech Republic and determination of acculturation strategy, which is characteristic for immigrants.

Adaptation of immigrants is one of the most relevant international and national issues in the modern world. In this thesis, the psychological aspects of immigrants' acculturation changes occurring in the Czech Republic will be discussed. Acculturation appears to be a complex, dynamic process that involves a large number of elements, the interaction between which is the subject of our research. An important aspect in the process of acculturation is the phenomenon of acculturative stress. Successful overcoming of acculturative stress depends on a number of predictors and its research might be beneficial not only for immigrants, but for the host society as well. The desirable aim of any acculturation process is the effective adaptation of immigrants, which is associated with creating a series of prospective psychological competencies. In the empirical part we wanted to investigate the interrelationship between selected factors influencing the preference of acculturation strategy: moderating factors prior to (sociodemographic characteristics, tolerance, anxiety) - and during acculturation (personal characteristics such as anxiety and coping strategies). The performed analysis utilizes quantitative data processing based on methods of statistical analysis. The data was obtained using questionnaires from...

This study explores the acculturation experiences of long-term Western residents in Japan using a broad intercultural studies approach. First, the historical context of Westerners coming to Japan is discussed. Next, literature from the field of intercultural studies is considered. This literature is used to provide a framework for analyzing Western sojourners’ acculturation experiences in Japan, as well as for choosing the research methods for conducting a qualitative analysis. The research involved interviewing 12 expatriates from English-speaking countries who have been in Japan for at least 10 years. Their acculturation experiences were analyzed, with a particular focus on finding hidden barriers to acculturation. The study concludes that numerous barriers to acculturation do exist. Commonly observable barriers included lack of employment security for some sojourners, and a poor fit between an individual’s personality and the host culture. These issues are applicable to anyone adapting to life in a different culture. However, this research also exposed a number of hidden barriers arguably unique to the Western sojourner’s acculturation experience in Japan. These barriers include the challenge of developing satisfying relationships with Japanese, due primarily to different expectations for psychological closeness and self-disclosure in Japan and the West. Another is the social effect of Othering, the centuries-old process where Japanese society divides things into those which are Japanese and those which are not, and the consequent empathy deficit that Japanese experience toward outsiders. The thesis concludes by offering recommendations for how long-term Western residents in Japan can improve their adaptation and acculturation experience. These include the obvious advantages of learning the Japanese language, and the less obvious benefits of learning and practicing mindful intercultural communication.

No description available.

Depuis la fin des années 1990, la recherche s’intéresse de plus en plus à l’insertion professionnelle des enseignants immigrants. On soutient généralement que ceux-ci présentent une richesse pour les sociétés d’accueil (Bascia, 1996 ; Bauer et Akkari, 2016 ; Beynon, Ilieva et Dichupa, 2004 ; Broyon, 2016 ; Deters, 2006 ; Kailasanathan, 2013 ; Myles, Cheng et Wang, 2006 ; Niyubahwe, Mukamurera et Jutras, 2019 ; Phillion, 2003 ; Quiocho et Rios, 2000). Pourtant, les défis auxquels ils font face peuvent devenir sources de tensions et compromettre la réalisation du projet migratoire (Niyubahwe, 2014). Ceci peut provoquer une remise en question sur le plan identitaire et ébranler des conceptions fortement ancrées en ce qui a trait à l’image de soi comme enseignant, ainsi qu’au rapport avec les élèves, les enseignants et la profession (Duchesne, 2017 ; Laghzaoui, 2011 ; Niyubahwe, 2014). Cette recherche vise à comprendre comment ces enseignants négocient le passage d’une identité professionnelle construite dans leur pays d’origine vers une nouvelle identité d’enseignants au Québec. L’analyse, soutenue par les concepts d’insertion professionnelle en enseignement (Mukamurera, Martineau, Bouthiette et Ndoreraho, 2013), de stratégies d’acculturation (Berry, 2005) et d’identité professionnelle (Dubar, 2015), s’intéresse au processus dynamique et interactif de construction identitaire d’enseignants immigrants. Elle permet d’identifier des défis d’acculturation spécifiques à leur insertion professionnelle, de décrire les stratégies mobilisées et d’expliquer le processus de négociation identitaire permettant de se redéfinir comme enseignants en contexte québécois. La collecte de données de cette recherche qualitative interprétative a été réalisée à l’aide d’un questionnaire en ligne ainsi que des entretiens individuels et collectif, semi-dirigés. Les résultats montrent que les défis recensés par les participants concernent majoritairement l’accès à l’emploi. De plus, une perception de discrimination relative au statut ou à l’origine ethnoculturelle est souvent évoquée. Des tensions identitaires se reflètent par une incohérence entre l’image de soi comme professionnel, avant et après l’immigration. Celles-ci entrainent la mobilisation de stratégies d’acculturation visant à négocier ces tensions pour se redéfinir professionnellement. L’analyse permet de constater une forte représentation des stratégies d’assimilation (Berry, 2005) associée au désir de se conformer aux attentes du milieu. De plus, certaines stratégies d’intégration (Berry, 2005) sont identifiées, illustrant l’établissement d’échanges interculturels favorisant une contribution à la société d’accueil. L’interprétation des résultats permet de dégager deux contributions principales de la recherche : l’illustration de postures de négociation identitaires mettant en évidence le rôle des interactions dans le développement de l’identité professionnelle d’enseignants immigrants, et l'adaptation d’un modèle d’analyse des défis d’insertion professionnelle qui tient compte de la phase postmigratoire du parcours. De plus, la thèse contribue aux connaissances en matière d’intégration culturelle en proposant au milieu scolaire, aux ministères concernés et aux universités, des pistes de réflexion au sujet des besoins des enseignants immigrants en insertion professionnelle. Ces pistes pourront aussi alimenter la réflexion des instances concernées au sujet des mesures à mettre en place pour favoriser la rétention du personnel scolaire, la qualité de l’enseignement ainsi que la persévérance scolaire des élèves. / Since the late 1990s, research has increasingly focused on the professional integration of immigrant teachers. It is generally argued that these professionals represent a positive contribution to host societies (Bascia, 1996 ; Bauer & Akkari, 2016 ; Beynon, Ilieva & Dichupa, 2004 ; Broyon, 2016 ; Deters, 2006 ; Kailasanathan, 2013 ; Myles, Cheng & Wang, 2006 ; Niyubahwe, Mukamurera & Jutras, 2019 ; Phillion, 2003 ; Quiocho & Rios, 2000). However, the challenges they face become sources of tension, compromising the migration project (Niyubahwe, 2014). This can provoke a questioning about their identity and undermine their conceptions regarding their self-representation as teachers, as well as the relationship with students, teachers and the profession (Duchesne, 2017 ; Laghzaoui, 2011 ; Niyubahwe, 2014). This research aims to understand how these teachers negotiate the transition from a professional identity developed in their country of origin, to a new teacher identity in Quebec. The analysis, supported by the concepts of professional integration in teaching (Mukamurera, Martineau, Bouthiette & Ndoreraho, 2013), acculturation strategies (Berry, 2005) and professional identity (Dubar, 2015), focuses on the dynamic and interactive process of immigrant teachers identity development. The analysis allows us to identify the challenges of acculturation specific to their professional integration, to describe the strategies they mobilized and to explain the identity negotiation process that allows them to redefine themselves as teachers in Quebec. For this interpretative qualitative research the data was collected using an online questionnaire as well as semi-structured individual and group interviews. The results show that the challenges identified by the participants mainly concern employment access. In addition, a perception of discrimination regarding ethnocultural status or origin is often mentioned. Identity tensions are also reflected in an inconsistency between the image of themselves as professionals, before and after immigration. These lead to the mobilization of acculturation strategies to negotiate these tensions in order to redefine their professional identity. The analysis shows a strong representation of assimilation strategies (Berry, 2005) associated with the desire to conform to the environment's expectations. In addition, certain integration strategies (Berry, 2005) are identified, illustrating the establishment of intercultural exchanges contributing to the host society. Scientifically, the research shows two main contributions: the illustration of identity negotiation postures highlighting the role of interactions in the development of immigrant teachers' professional identity, and the adaptation of a model for analyzing the challenges of professional integration that takes into account the migratory path. In addition, this thesis contributes to knowledge of cultural integration by offering school establishments, concerned ministries and universities, avenues regarding the needs of immigrant teachers. These could also stimulate the reflection of the authorities concerned about the measures to put in place to promote the retention of school personnel, the quality of teaching, as well as students' academic perseverance.